Irrigation as a Service Entrepreneur Series: Story #2
From Observation to Action: The Story of Agriworks Uganda
Abraham Salomon's connection to agriculture began when he was a student at the University of California, Davis. Although he did not study agriculture, he worked closely with peers who were deeply engaged in the field, and after graduation, he joined a university extension project in Uganda supporting small-scale vegetable growers.
While in Uganda, Abraham observed a critical challenge. Farmers could cultivate vegetables successfully during the rainy season, but they struggled during the dry season when rainwater was scarce - precisely when market prices were highest. This seasonal bottleneck limited both their harvest potential and their income. Abraham recognized that reliable irrigation access could help farmers extend production into the dry season, stabilize their incomes, and meet market demand.
The primary barrier was cost. Most smallholders could not afford the high upfront investment for irrigation equipment. This realization drove Abraham to find a model: one that could provide access to irrigation without the burdening cost of ownership.
The Origins of Agriworks Uganda
In 2010, Abraham and his co-founders began developing and testing the concept for a mobile irrigation system with local farmers in Uganda. Their first iteration used a small engine pump and modular lay-flat pipes that could be transported on a motorcycle, allowing the system to be moved easily between farms.
Over time, they simplified the design. They replaced the bulkier, high-pressure pumps with a smaller, more efficient pump that could attach directly to the motorcycle’s engine. This innovation allowed them to deliver water over shorter distances, up to 200 meters, at lower pressure and cost.
By 2019, with support from UC Davis and other non-profit partners, this technological pivot evolved into a formal business model. Abraham co-founded Agriworks Uganda, a company designed to provide Irrigation as a Service powered by this unique, motorcycle-based technology.
The Agriworks Model: Affordable, Accessible Irrigation as a Service
Agriworks' competitive advantage lies in its pay-per-use service model, which makes irrigation affordable and accessible. By removing the financial burden of equipment ownership, the company allows farmers to increase their productivity and income using a flexible service that matches their needs.
The model's operational genius is its use of the existing, extensive network of local motorcycle (boda boda) riders to transport the irrigation systems between farms. This partnership allows Agriworks to serve a wide area without the capital expense of owning and managing a large fleet of vehicles. The riders are numerous, already transport goods, and possess intimate knowledge of the local terrain, making them an affordable and highly effective logistical workforce.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey to this model was not straightforward. Before landing on Irrigation as a Service, Agriworks experimented with selling equipment on credit to small farmer groups. This approach failed due to a host of problems, including the difficulty of coordinating shared equipment use, managing repairs, and ensuring timely payments. Furthermore, a wide range of farming risks - such as pests, diseases, and unpredictable water sources - made it difficult for farmers to repay equipment loans.
Even with the more resilient service model, challenges remain. A primary hurdle is matching irrigation supply with farmer demand throughout the year, as the income farmers earn in the rainy season often determines their ability to invest in irrigation during the dry season.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Agriworks is focused on improving its business model and growing. The goal is to bring the service to thousands of farmers across Uganda, particularly in dry areas with a high need for irrigation. Agriworks also plans to pilot the model in other sub-Saharan countries with similar dry climates and high-value crops. Despite challenges along the way, Agriworks has developed an affordable and practical solution to help smallholder farmers access water.
Agriworks demonstrates how agricultural innovation can create a lasting benefit for smallholder farmers. By offering Irrigation as a Service and leveraging local resources like motorcycle riders, Agriworks has developed a solution that is both affordable and practical. With Agriworks’ locally suitable model, it will continue to equip farmers with tools to better manage water scarcity and build more resilient livelihoods.
About the Irrigation as a Service Entrepreneur Series
The Irrigation as a Service (IaaS) Entrepreneur Series highlights eight entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions to improve water access for smallholder farmers. In January 2025, DWFI brought together eight founders from seven countries for a workshop in Uganda, marking the largest-ever gathering of companies dedicated to IaaS. This series explores each of these companies’ journey with providing access to irrigation as a service – an alternative to pump ownership by farmers. Each founder offers a unique approach to providing this service. The series aims to share real-world experiences to guide future business development, research, and investment in IaaS, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity in the Global South.
Erin Anders, DWFI Senior Program Manager, also contributed to this story.
